Pyrenees GR10 Stage 6 Trek: Aulus-les-Bains to Mérens-les-Vals

GR10 Stage 5, 6 - Aulus

GR10 Stage 6 - near Port-de-Saleix

GR10 Stage 6 - nr Port-de-Saleix

GR10 Stage 5, 6 - Aulus

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Pyrenees GR10 Stage 6 Trek

Join a classic European long-distance trek
Rugged scenery and picturesque villages
Trek the Haute Ariège (west & central Pyrenees)
Stay in remote mountain refuges

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure

We are the GR10 experts
Outstanding fully-qualified guides
Authentic hotels, gîtes and refuges
Full luggage support

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 6 Trek: Dates and Prices

AT A GLANCE

7 nights

6 days' trekking

Partial luggage delivery

Group size 4-10

Join: Aulus-les-Bains

End: Mérens-les-Vals

Nearest airports: Carcassonne, Perpignan, Toulouse

ACCOMMODATION

3 nights in hotels

4 nights in gîtes/ mountain refuges

DIFFICULTY GRADING

7

Moderate

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 6 Trek: Overview

The GR10 is one of Europe’s best-known trekking routes. It crosses the Pyrenees from the Atlantic in the West to the Med in the West. We’ve broken the trek down into eight week-long treks so you can pick your favourite weeks, dip in and out or do them all. This is Stage 6: from Aulus-les-Bains to Mérens-les-Vals. It's in the Haute Ariège region - near a few Tour de France climbs - and will take you through the west and central Pyrenees. There may be snow on summits and there will certainly be waterfalls and mountain lakes to photograph or dip into. Rural scenes are punctuated by Roman churches and cascading torrents. Look forward to a selection of hand-picked accommodation each night.

What to expect

Typical to this stage are vast high plateaux and valleys scored deep into the landscape, surrounded by impressive peaks and summits. In such a dramatic environment, daily ascents and descents often exceed 1000m. This Stage is therefore open to those with a good level of fitness, used to trekking for multiple days carrying a daysack or fuller rucksack (the latter will be required where accommodation is remote). Contact Cloud 9 if you have any questions about this section’s suitability for you.

Pyrenees GR10 Stage 6 Trek: Itinerary

Day 1 - Arrival in Aulus-les-Bains (transfer from St Girons)

Arrive into Aulus for an evening briefing at the hotel with your experienced Cloud 9 guide. Get your questions answered and learn about the week ahead. If you arrive in early, enjoy the local thermal baths before the hard work begins!

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Day 2 - Trek from Aulus-les-Bains to Bassiès

Jumping straight into the trekking, today begins with a persistent ascent. You'll cross the Plateau de Coumebière then continue up to Port de Saleix and Port de Bassiès, through some incredible granite landscapes. Enjoy the views from up there (at 1933m) before dropping down for the day's final kilometre into the Refuge des Étangs de Bassiès where you can cool off in the water.

Accommodation: mountain refuge, dinner included

Luggage access: no

Walking: approx 5-6 hrs

Distance: 11km

Altitude gain / loss: +1200m / -300m

Day 3 - Trek from Bassiès to Goulier (via Olbier)

Today we'll contour across past Étang Majeur and Étang d'Escales with Pic du Far (1926m) keeping check on our progress from above. We'll then lose some height and stay closer to the valley floor as we head via Olbier to Goulier for our evening meal and stopover in the village.

Accommodation: gîte, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 5 hrs

Distance: approx 13km

Altitude gain / loss: +350m / -900m

Day 4 - Trek from Goulier to Gestiès or Arquizat

Today's a relatively straightforward day, as we go up and over a series of close-packed cols, of which Col de Lercoul is the highest (1594m). We'll pass calm mountain hamlets like Lercoul and Siguer. Save an energy burst for the sting-in-the-tail ascent to Gestiès at the end of the day!

Accommodation: gîte, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: 6-7 hours

Distance: approx 15km

Altitude gain / loss: +1050m / -800m

Day 5 - Trek from Col de Sasc to Plateau de Beille

Today begins with a transfer from our accommodation to the Col de Sasc (1798m). It's then an up and down rollercoaster of a day, as the ascent and descent totals suggest to reach our accommodation in Plateau de Beille. There's a Nordic ski station up here and the plateau is often on the Tour de France route.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 8-9 hrs

Distance: 21km

Altitude gain / loss: +2400m / -1300m

Day 6 - Trek from Plateau de Beille to Refuge de Rulhe

Today is a spectacular day along occasionally exposed ridgelines as we head back into high mountain territory. It's a shortish day which is perfect for, in great weather, it's full of photo opportunities. There are impressive peaks all around like Pic de Cabaill ère (2555m), the twin-summited Pic d'Espaillat (2263m) and Pic des Calmettes (2413m) just before you reach the refuge for the evening.

Accommodation: mountain refuge, dinner included

Luggage access: no

Walking: approx 5 hrs

Distance: 14km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -600m

Day 7 - Trek from Refuge de Rulhe to Mérens-les-Vals

The final day on the trail for us remains suitably challenging, with paths that can be rough underfoot as they lead us through the region's spectacular granite terrain. With great views and mountain lakes to skirt, this really is a wonderfully scenic day to wrap up Stage 6 of your GR10 trek.

Accommodation: hotel, dinner included

Luggage access: yes

Walking: approx 4.5 hrs

Distance: 12km

Altitude gain / loss: +500m / -1600m

Day 8 - Departure day

Our trip finishes after breakfast today. Those staying on for the next section of the GR10 (our Stage 7), don't go anywhere and we'll look forward to continuing with you next week.

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TRIP NOTES

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